Questions about full body/bodybuilder photography

[bbbdco]

I'm very new to studio lighting and am curious what I might need. I currently do photography at bodybuilding/fitness contests. Competitors often ask if I do studio shots (full body -- head to toe). So I'm considering setting up a studio-area in my house. I already have a dark backdrop. In terms of strobes and reflectors, do you guys have any suggestions. I read a lot about the Alien Bees. Which would you recommend and what size soft box and/or umbrellas does one need for full body work? Thanks.

Dan

[jorgemonkey]

I've never used Alien Bees, but I've heard lots of good things about them.

Depending what equipment you already have, you could probably get away with using 1-2 camera flashes mounted on a light stand fired into an umbrella.

I use that setup as an "easy setup/move" setup, while I have a couple Interfir 300ws studio strobes, a couple umbrellas, and a Med & LG softbox.

[MJS]

I love my Bee's. and . If you're going full body, you might want to get a large softbox an some type of large umbrella to throw on the fill light, or another softbox. I only use my SB800's as accent lights or into an umbrella for a head or half body shot.